Students

BUSL250 – Business Law

2013 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Verity Greenwood
Contact via verity.greenwood@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
12cp
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit introduces students to the Australian legal system and to essential legal principles and concepts that inform the way in which commercial activities are regulated. The unit prepares students for more advanced units such as BUSL301 and BUSL315. Studying this unit may also be of interest to students from varied disciplines as it provides them with a broad knowledge and understanding of how the laws apply to ordinary commercial transactions. A range of assessment tasks are used in the unit to monitor the progress of students and to develop important analytical and generic professional skills. Topics include: contract law, tort law (with a focus on negligence), property law (including intellectual property), consumer protection law, and the law of agency.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Understand how laws are made and enforced.
  • Know the legal principles that apply to business law in Australia.
  • Analyse the legal aspects of particular case studies relevant to business law.
  • Critically assess and make judgments on the merits of legal arguments.
  • Research business law related topics through using hard copy materials and electronic/online information retrieval systems.
  • Work in a team to solve legal problems likely to arise in a business setting.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Online Quizzes 30% Week 4, 7 11
Tutorial Participation 10% Weeks 2-13
Tutorial in-class test 10% Week 9 (Tutorial 8)
Final Examination 50% University Examination Period

Online Quizzes

Due: Week 4, 7 11
Weighting: 30%

Submission via BUSL250 unit website

Extension:  No extensions

10 questions each quiz. 40 minutes time limit (4 minutes per qquestion). Feedback given. Weight of each quiz : 10% of final assessment mark


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand how laws are made and enforced.
  • Know the legal principles that apply to business law in Australia.
  • Analyse the legal aspects of particular case studies relevant to business law.
  • Critically assess and make judgments on the merits of legal arguments.

Tutorial Participation

Due: Weeks 2-13
Weighting: 10%

Student class Presentations (5%) and Quality of class Participation (5%)

What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily

  • Student class presentations are held in Tutorial class 3-12.
  • Presentation topic list and marking criteria on unit website
  • Class participation assessed throughout Session                                                             -based on actual class participation, group work,discussion and problem solving




On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Know the legal principles that apply to business law in Australia.
  • Analyse the legal aspects of particular case studies relevant to business law.
  • Critically assess and make judgments on the merits of legal arguments.
  • Research business law related topics through using hard copy materials and electronic/online information retrieval systems.
  • Work in a team to solve legal problems likely to arise in a business setting.

Tutorial in-class test

Due: Week 9 (Tutorial 8)
Weighting: 10%

Examination conditions   In-class contract law written test. Based on Lectures 2 (Part 2)-5 and Tutorials 2-5.

             

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand how laws are made and enforced.
  • Know the legal principles that apply to business law in Australia.
  • Analyse the legal aspects of particular case studies relevant to business law.
  • Critically assess and make judgments on the merits of legal arguments.
  • Research business law related topics through using hard copy materials and electronic/online information retrieval systems.

Final Examination

Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 50%

Examination conditions Formal written exam based on Weeks 2 (Part 2) -13.  Exam length:Three hours plus ten minutes reading time. Two double sided A4 handwritten 'cheat sheets' allowed. No typed or photocopied sheets allowed.

What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily

There is a requirement to pass the final examination to be awarded a final grade of a Pass or a higher grade.

 

 

 

 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand how laws are made and enforced.
  • Know the legal principles that apply to business law in Australia.
  • Analyse the legal aspects of particular case studies relevant to business law.
  • Critically assess and make judgments on the merits of legal arguments.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

  • The course will consist of 13 x 2 hour lectures beginning the first week of semester and 13 x 1 hour tutorials also beginning the first week of semester.
  • The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/.
  • Students can only change their allocated lecture or tutorial class in the first three (3) weeks through the eStudent system and only when there is a vacancy in that class or lecture.
  • If a student changes classes in the first 3 weeks it is their responsibility to inform both their old tutor and their new tutor. Failure to inform tutors about the change in class allocation may result in a student not obtaining all the class marks for which all students are eligible.
  • Attendance will be taken in the tutorials.
  • Warning: You must attend at least 10 of the 12 tutorials – failure to do so will lead to major deduction from your tutorial participation mark.
  • Medical certificates must be provided if you are not able to attend a class without incurring a penalty.
  • Students are expected to arrive on time, and not to leave until the class ends.
  • If you have a recurring problem that makes you late, or forces you to leave early, have the courtesy to discuss this with your lecturer/tutor.
  • Students must be quiet during classes, unless of course when class participation is required.
  • Mobile phone must be turned OFF in tutorials and not simply set to ‘silent’.
  • All laptops must be turned OFF in class.
  • Students who disturb or disrupt in lectures and tutorial class will be asked to leave.

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

Prescribed Textbook (required):

Business Law BUSL250 compiled by Dr Verity Greenwood and Julian Dight (Custom Book) includes MyLawLab Access CARD, 6/e isbn 9781486001736 (Can be purchased from the Macquarie University Co-Op Bookshop and in Macquarie Library Reserve)

Other recommended texts:

Davenport, S. and Parker, D. Business and Law in Australia (2012) Lawbook Co., Sydney (ISBN9780455229591)

Gibson, A. and Fraser, D. Business Law (6th ed., 2012), Pearson Education Australia Business Law MyLawLab Access Card, 6/E ISBN-10: E994248869 ISBN-13: 9314994248869

Miles, P. and Dowler, W. A Guide to Business Law (19th ed. 2011) (ISBN 9780455228341)

Latimer, P., Australian Business Law (29th ed, 2010) (ISBN 978-1-921223-17-4)

Pentony, B, Graw, S. Lennard, J and Parker, D., Understanding Business Law, (5th ed.2011) LexisNexis Butterworths.

Villa, D., Annotated Civil Liability Act 2002 NSW

Krever, R., Mastering Law Studies and Law Exam Techniques, Butterworths, KU51.7.K74/2001

Crosling, G.M., and Murphy, H.M.., How to Study Business Law, Butterworths, KU856.C76/2000

Useful Internet Sites:

  • Finding case law and legislation: www.austlii.edu.au
  • Australian Law Online: www.law.gov.au
  • NSW Legislation: www.legislation.nsw.gov.au

Technology Used and Required

Unit Web Page

Course material is available on the learning management system (ilearn)

The web page for this unit can be found at: http://learn.mq.edu.au You will find important information posted there.

On ilearn you can also:

  • Download BUSL250 ilectures
  • Access BUSL250 online quizzes during set dates as shown in unit schedule
  • As an extension to the BUSL250 Tutorial program exercises will be posted when necessary on ilearn. Students are encouraged to attempt to answer these exercises. However this is not assessable.

Teaching and Learning Strategy

  • This unit is taught through a combination of two-hour lecture style seminars and smaller one-hour tutorial discussion groups. Each week a set topic is covered in the lecture and subsequently discussed in the following week’s tutorial. Tutorial questions are allocated for each week and these questions will form the basis of the discussion in the tutorial. It is important to note that issues covered in the lecture but not in the tutorial ARE STILL EXAMINABLE. For students to benefit most from this learning and teaching structure completion of tutorial questions and preparation for lecture and tutorial classes is strongly advised.
  • Students are expected to read lecture topics in advance. A reading plan is listed at the end of this guide. Students are also required to prepare and complete all compulsory tutorial questions prior to attending their tutorial class. Tutorial classes may include a mixture of group work, open class discussion and tutor facilitated discussion and problem solving. Students are expected to respond to questions raised in the class and demonstrate enthusiasm for the subject.
  • Students please note: The readings, study and assessment for this subject will require approximately 6 hours per week above the 3 hours allocated for formal lecture and semester times.
  • Week-by-week list of the topics to be covered at end of this guide.
  • Students are asked to select their presentation date in Tutorial 2. If a student changes classes in the first 3 weeks after already selecting a presentation topic, the student is responsible for informing their previous tutor that they will not be doing their presentation in that class.
  • Any requests for extensions or alternative arrangements must be submitted to a unit convenor at least 2 weeks before an assessment task. If unavoidable circumstances are involved satisfactory supporting documentation must accompany any such request.
  • Instructions for the online quizzes and in-class tests will be available on the unit website.
  • Given the nature of the assessment tasks the issue of late submission of assessment tasks is not relevant to this unit.
  • Attendance: A component of the tutorial mark is based on class participation. Although attendance is not a condition of passing this unit, failing to attend tutorial classes regularly may result in a low tutorial mark which will affect a student’s final results. Participation includes being involved in organised class group work when required, being prepared for open class discussion and tutor facilitated discussion and problem solving. Students are expected to respond to questions raised in the class and demonstrate enthusiasm for the subject.

Unit Schedule

Week Topic Tutorial
1

Lecture 1

  • Part 1: Introduction to Business Law
  • Part 2: Introduction to the Australian Legal System

Readings

  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 5

* NO TUTORIALS FIRST WEEK *

2

Lecture 2

Part 1: The Australian Legal System

Readings

  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4 (pp 94-102)

Part 2: Introduction to Contract Law-Intention and Agreement

Readings

  • Chapter 10,11 and 12

Tutorial 1

Introduction to Business Law / The Australian Legal System

Readings:

  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3 (pp. 46-69; pp.74-82)
  • Chapter 4 (pp.88-94)

 

 

 

 

 

 
3

Lecture 3

Contract Law- Consideration

Contract Law- real and Genuine Consent

Reading

  • Chapter 13
  • Chapter 15

Tutorial 2

Introduction to Contract Law-Intention and Agreement

Readings: Chapter 10,11, and 12              

                          

 

 * ONLINE QUIZ OPEN AND AVAILABLE *

QUIZ 1- SATURDAY 16 MARCH- FRIDAY 22 MARCH

 

4

Lecture 4

Contract Law- Capacity, Illegality and Form

Readings - Chapter 14 and 16

Tutorial 3

Contract Law- Real and Genuine Consent

Contract Law: Consideration

Readings:

  • Chapter 13
  • Chapter 15

 

 

 

 
5

Lecture 5

Contract Law – Terms, Discharge of Contracts and Remedies for Breach of Contract

Reading

Chapter 17,18 and19

 

Tutorial 4

Contract Law- Capacity, Illegality and Form

Readings: Chapter 14 and 16 

 

6

Lecture 6

Introduction to Torts

Reading: Chapter 6

              Chapter 7 (pp.134-157)

 

Tutorial 5

Contract Law- Terms, Discharge and Remedies from Breach of Contract

Readings:Chapters 17,18 and 19

 

  ** ONLINE QUIZ OPEN AND AVAILABLE *

QUIZ 2- SATURDAY 6 APRIL- FRIDAY 12 APRIL

 
7

Lecture 7

Torts- negligence

Reading – Chapters 7 (pp.158-165)

               Chapter 8  

Tutorial 6      

Torts- Negligence

Reading: Chapter 7 (pp. 134-157

 

 

MID SESSION BREAK

 
8

Lecture 8

Business Related Torts

Readings : Chapters 9

Tutorial 7

Torts-Negligence

Reading – Chapters 7 (pp.158-165)

 

 

 

 
9

Lecture 9

Agency Law

Reading: Chapter 22

Tutorial 8

 * Tutorial In-Class Test*

Business Related Torts

Readings: Chapters 9

 

 

 

 
10

Lecture 10

Consumer Protection I – General and Specific Prohibited Conduct

Readings: Chapter 21

Tutorial 9

Agency Law

Reading: Chapter 22

 

 

* ONLINE QUIZ OPEN AND AVAILABLE *

QUIZ 3- SATURDAY 18 MAY- FRIDAY 24 MAY

 
11

Lecture 11

Consumer Protection II – Consumer Guarantees and Product Safety

Reading: Chapter 20

Tutorial 10

Consumer Protection I

Reading: Chapter 21

 

12

Lecture 12

Property Law – Intellectual Property

Readings: Chapter 23 and 24

Tutorial 11

Consumer Protection II

Reading: Chapter 20

 

13

Lecture 13

Revision

Tutorial 12

Property Law - Intellectual Property

Readings: Chapter 23 and 24

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Activities

See under unit guide 'Delivery and Resources'

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Academic Honesty

The nature of scholarly endeavour, dependent as it is on the work of others, binds all members of the University community to abide by the principles of academic honesty. Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that:

  • all academic work claimed as original is the work of the author making the claim
  • all academic collaborations are acknowledged
  • academic work is not falsified in any way
  • when the ideas of others are used, these ideas are acknowledged appropriately.

Further information on the academic honesty can be found in the Macquarie University Academic Honesty Policy at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Grades

Macquarie University uses the following grades in coursework units of study:

  • HD - High Distinction
  • D - Distinction
  • CR - Credit
  • P - Pass
  • F - Fail

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Grading Policy which is available at:

http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grading Appeals and Final Examination Script Viewing

If, at the conclusion of the unit, you have performed below expectations, and are considering lodging an appeal of grade and/or viewing your final exam script please refer to the following website which provides information about these processes and the cut off dates in the first instance. Please read the instructions provided concerning what constitutes a valid grounds for appeal before appealing your grade.

http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/new_and_current_students/undergraduate_current_students/how_do_i/grade_appeals/

Special Consideration Policy

The University is committed to equity and fairness in all aspects of its learning and teaching. In stating this commitment, the University recognises that there may be circumstances where a student is prevented by unavoidable disruption from performing in accordance with their ability. A special consideration policy exists to support students who experience serious and unavoidable disruption such that they do not reach their usual demonstrated performance level. The policy is available at:

http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html 

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at: http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

UniWISE provides:

  • Online learning resources and academic skills workshops http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/
  • Personal assistance with your learning & study related questions.
  • The Learning Help Desk is located in the Library foyer (level 2).
  • Online and on-campus orientation events run by Mentors@Macquarie.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/ses/.

IT Help

If you wish to receive IT help, we would be glad to assist you at http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the university's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students and it outlines what can be done.

Graduate Capabilities

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand how laws are made and enforced.
  • Know the legal principles that apply to business law in Australia.
  • Analyse the legal aspects of particular case studies relevant to business law.
  • Critically assess and make judgments on the merits of legal arguments.
  • Work in a team to solve legal problems likely to arise in a business setting.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Quizzes
  • Tutorial Participation
  • Tutorial in-class test
  • Final Examination

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand how laws are made and enforced.
  • Know the legal principles that apply to business law in Australia.
  • Analyse the legal aspects of particular case studies relevant to business law.
  • Critically assess and make judgments on the merits of legal arguments.
  • Research business law related topics through using hard copy materials and electronic/online information retrieval systems.
  • Work in a team to solve legal problems likely to arise in a business setting.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Quizzes
  • Tutorial Participation
  • Tutorial in-class test
  • Final Examination

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse the legal aspects of particular case studies relevant to business law.
  • Work in a team to solve legal problems likely to arise in a business setting.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Quizzes
  • Tutorial Participation
  • Tutorial in-class test

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse the legal aspects of particular case studies relevant to business law.
  • Critically assess and make judgments on the merits of legal arguments.
  • Work in a team to solve legal problems likely to arise in a business setting.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Quizzes
  • Tutorial Participation
  • Tutorial in-class test
  • Final Examination